King of Gamblers: Growing from a Student to a Jade King

I examined the stone carefully. The material was indeed rare and exquisite, though I couldn't identify its specific origin. Judging by its skin, it resembled potato peel—a thin, translucent crust typical of semi-mountain, semi-river stones, often found in the old mines of Letna Mobangao.

This mine was considered a veteran site, known for its high-quality yield. The piece I held featured snake-like veins and pine flowers, making it a strong gamble.

Approaching Wei, the shopkeeper, I asked, "How much for this piece, Boss Wei?"

Without so much as a glance at the material, he replied, "Two hundred and fifty thousand."

Hearing the price, I chuckled inwardly. Damn, this tiny stone, no bigger than a fist, and still in its raw state, was worth, at most, twenty thousand. And he dared to quote ten times that!

I kept my composure. "Two hundred fifty thousand it is. Guang, you cover two hundred; I'll put in fifty, and we'll split the returns seventy-thirty."

Guang nodded in agreement, and we went to settle the payment. Though the gamble was small, the intrigue and suspense made it thrilling. I was eager to see if this little piece could yield a thousandfold return. As for Wei, he would pay for his cheeky pricing in due time.

After paying, I handed the stone to my master and instructed, "Follow the veins and pine flowers. Sand down the surface."

This was the most optimal cutting strategy—carefully revealing the veins to gauge the color and quality, leaving half untouched for safety.

"No room for bracelets here. Better to cut it outright," the master suggested.

I shook my head. "Sand it first. Let me assess. After all, I spent ten times its worth; I should take this seriously."

As I said this, I glanced at Wei, who smiled faintly—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. I ignored him, and my master got to work.

The grinder spun relentlessly as it traced the stone's serpentine veins. The thin outer layer was soon removed.

Examining the exposed surface, my master exclaimed, "Oh, my! This vein is extraordinary. Look at that green hue shining through. It's bound to be a fully jade-filled piece. If the quality holds up, this stone could be a massive win."

The exposed green was vibrant, though still concealed beneath a white coat, making it hard to determine its exact hue or translucency. But one thing was clear: the stone was rich with jade.

I instructed, "Make a shallow cut—just enough to peek inside."

"Got it. I'll make sure your material stays pristine," my master assured before proceeding.

The blade descended onto the stone, cutting swiftly. Within seconds, a neat incision revealed more of the material. My master, visibly excited, said, "Your luck is unbelievable! Look at this texture, this color—pure and flawless. You owe me a big red envelope!"

Laughing, I took the piece under a strong light. The translucency rivaled top-tier icy jade, with a hint of apple green. The stone was large enough to craft two pendants and several smaller pieces, with a combined value exceeding ten million.

Elated, I stuffed cash into a red envelope and handed it to my master. "Thank you for turning a two-hundred-thousand gamble into a million-dollar jackpot!"

The master grinned, "Your luck is supreme—auspicious fortune indeed."

Holding the stone, I approached Wei and Guang. "Guang, we struck gold! A two-hundred-thousand stone yielded a million. Our luck is unmatched!"

Guang examined the piece, visibly pleased. "Apple green, isn't it? Can we make a bracelet?"

I shook my head. "No room for that."

"What a pity. A bracelet from this would have made Miss Ma ecstatic," Guang remarked.

I chuckled at his sentiment. Guang seemed smitten with Miss Ma, willing to please her with a million-dollar trinket.

"Guang, we still owe the bank," I reminded.

He nodded. "With you by my side, I fear no debt. Let's prepare for the auction. This time, we'll go all in."

I nodded in agreement, then turned to Wei. Guang followed suit, asking, "Wei, will you join us at the auction?"

Wei's expression darkened. "Zhao Fei, of course I'll go. But don't treat me like a fool again."

I smiled. "Boss Wei, I didn't use you—just didn't give you a heads-up. I assumed our friendship would make it forgivable. But I see now you've taken it personally."

Wei laughed coldly. "Zhao Fei, you've come far. I remember when Fat Pig Zhu humiliated you under my roof, and I helped you save face. Without me, you might not be standing here today. Do you think I'm a fool? Your little stunt hurt my reputation. Who would dare patronize my shop after this?"

His anger was valid. Reputation is everything in business. My actions had jeopardized his standing, though I had little choice at the time.

Guang and I exchanged glances. While we wished to sever ties with Wei, doing so prematurely might drive him to ally with our rivals.

Guang intervened, "Wei, our oversight was regrettable. Let's avoid such misunderstandings in the future. You've profited greatly from our partnership. At the auction, we'll grant you a larger share as compensation."

Wei paused, considering the offer. After a moment, he said, "I'm not unreasonable, but I expect to be consulted. Miscommunication could ruin everything."

I smiled. "Don't worry. I've calculated everything. Why else would six million return to your pocket? Friends, right?"

Wei's demeanor softened, and we sealed the deal. Yet, as we left, Guang muttered, "Wei can't be trusted. He must be dealt with."

His ruthlessness sent a chill down my spine. Would he turn on me one day? I dared not voice my fears, vowing to keep my true thoughts hidden.

"Guang, help me investigate someone—a woman named Sang Ling," I said, steering the conversation.

"A woman? Got a photo?"

"No, but she works with Ma Lan. I want her background."

Guang smirked, "If it's women you're after, stick to Xiao Mi. Straying might prick you with thorns."

With that, he left, leaving me deep in thought. Indeed, it had been a while since I'd visited Xiao Mi.